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The beautiful surrounds of Donadea Forest Park in Co. Kildare, Ireland will be the venue for the 9th Annual Dondea 50KM race on the 9th of February. Donadea Forest Park offers the perfect location for the 50KM Championship Event. Donadea Forest Park is situated in rural north Kildare and is approximately 640 acres in size.

This event is the brainchild of one our most active members and chairperson Anthony Lee. Anthony who is an avid Ultra Runner himself, has brought ultra running in the last ten years to the forefront of Donadea Running Club encouraging other members of the club to get involved in 24 hour races, ultra team events and the Connemara Ultra Run.

Through Anthony's hard work and dedication the Donadea 50K has been awarded the IAU bronze label and the event itself was awarded championship status.

2014 Race Report

In 2014 the event was a monumental success and we were delighted to have some big names from the world of running battle it out on the morning to finish this epic course. It is important to note the race is a selection race for the IAU world 50KM trophy in 2014. So a fabulous event all round and not an easy one to undertake.

This race is an IAU Bronze Label race and is the Irish 50KM National Championships. A record field of 145 participants lined up for ten loops of the forest roads and trails. Despite some very stormy and wet weather in the weeks and days leading up to the event the race was run in weather perfect for distance running.

The mens race was very competitive but the overall winner, and well known multiple marathon winner, Gary O'Hanlon stole the show with 2:59 time to win the event and set a course record. Second place went to Raivis Zakis from Waterford AC in 3:13 followed closely in 3rd place by Peter Mooney in 3:16 to pick up the bronze medal for second year running. The ladies winner was Dublin's Orna Dilworth in 3:43. This time was a new course record and was also one of the fastest 50KM run by an Irish female athlete in recent years. This victory comes after Orna's 9th place finished in the Dublin City Marathon in October 2013. In second place was last year's winner Olywn Dunne in 4:13 followed closely in third position by Donna McLoughlin in 4:21. Right through the field the quality standard of the race has continued to grow. This year saw 31 participants break the 4 hour barrier representing 25% of finishers. Seven athletes registered a time of 3:30 or quicker for the event.